Outgoing Chief Justice of India open to taking up Lokpal job

Outgoing Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam (right) with his successor Rajendra Mal Lodha during a farewell function in New Delhi on Friday
PTI

Just a day before he demits ofiice, Chief Justice of IndiaP Sathasivam on Friday told dna that if his name is unanimously proposed without any controversy for the post of Lokpal by the selection committee, he has no objection to accepting the offer as a post-retirement job.

"Any job that is offered to a retired CJI must be befitting the post of CJI," Justice Sathasivam, who is scheduled to retire on Saturday after nine months as head of the institution, said.

"If all the members of selection committee unanimously agree and there is no controversy to my name, I will certainly consider it," the outgoing chief justice said.

On selection of judges, Justice Sathasivam favoured continuing with the present system of collegium for appointments to higher judiciary.

Speaking about the vacancies of judges in various high courts, he said that he had written letters to the Centre to fill the posts and during his tenure as chief justice about 90 judges have been appointed and for Supreme Court about four judges have been appointed.

Further, Justice Sathasivam, who served the judiciary for over 18 years, said that even all the vacancies of the apex court staff have been filled up by him.

"Whatever was possible in my nine-month tenure, I have done it," he said while expressing his feeling that there should be fixed tenure for the post of CJI.

Expressing concern over the complaints of sexual harassment lodged by the women lawyers against some male colleagues, CJI said that he has taken action against culprits by barring them from entering the premises.

He, however, refrained from commenting anything on a similar complaint against a retired judge of this court.

In the evening while addressing the lawyers from Supreme Court Bar, Justice Sathasivam, in his six-year stint, said frivilous PIL should not be entertained by the judges.

He said knowledgeable and prudent judges are required for the judiciary.

Talking about the budget for the institution, CJI said the budget sanctioned for the judiciary is inadequate and he has also written to the Centre for more budget to meet the needs of the court for effective function.